Business Setup

Looking to start a new business, or expand an existing one? Our experienced attorneys will help you set up your business for sustainable growth and success.

The Basics

Choosing the right business entity is the foundation of any successful creative venture. That decision affects everything from the ownership structure, the decisionmaking, hirings, and financing to the tax implications of the business. We’ll help you choose the right business structure for you, create and implement the best approach to formation, and advise you every step of the way.

How We Help

As your creative business grows, let Counsel for Creators LLP help you choose the right type of business entity. We offer services in business formation, entity selection, business operation, and business maintenance.

LLC Formation Services

A limited-liability company can help you protect your personal assets from business losses. We offer flat rate services to help you establish and operate a California LLC, whether it is with one member or multiple people.

Corporate Formation Services

A California corporation can be the right choice for your business. We can help you establish your California corporation, issue shares to members, create by-laws and help you understand how best to operate your corporation. We can even help you understand how to file for an S-Corp election, where appropriate.

Partnerships

Whether you are forming a general partnership or a limited-liability partnership in California, we can help. We can advise you on how running your partnership and we can draft your partnership agreement.

Got Questions?

Like what you’re seeing but don’t know where or how to start? That’s where we come in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of incorporating?

There are a number of reasons to form a business entity such as an LLC or a corporation. Chief among them are:

Liability protection. Limited liability protection helps to protect your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. In short, limited liability protection provides an important shield for your personal assets. We wrote a blog post that provides insight into the benefits of obtaining limited liability protection.

Access to tax benefits and the ability to deduct business expenses.

Enhanced credibility for your business.

How long does it take?

Generally, it will take 2-3 weeks from the filing date for an LLC to become active, and 3-4 weeks for a C-corporation. S corporations may take an additional 1-2 months, depending on the IRS processing time. Expedited filing (1-2 day turnaround) is available for an additional filing fee.

What type of business entity should I choose?

Choosing the right business entity for your business depends upon many factors that must be considered. These include: The cost and ease of formation. Do you prefer a more streamlined approach?

How you intend to raise capital and finance your business. Certain investors and lenders have specific requirements in the type of entity they prefer investing in.

Your tax strategy. Different entities may have substantially different tax results to the same transactions.

Where you intend to conduct business.

How you intend to manage the business. Will all owners to have a say or vote in business operations or do you want to limit or even prevent management participation by some owners? Will the business be managed by non-owners?

How long you intend the business to exist.

Who the owners are and how many there will be. Certain entity types are available only to single or multiple owners and for only legal US residents. Certain entity types may only be owned by individuals, and not by other entities.

The industry you are engaged in. For example, certain regulated industries require that businesses operate as certain entities.

Whether you want to make it more difficult or easier to transfer your ownership interest to another party.

Still not sure? We created a questionnaire that can help you determine the best entity for your business. Check it out here

How does your business entity process work?

We developed proprietary systems that allow you to easily and effectively work with our attorneys from anywhere in the world. Find out more about our process here.

Related Blog Posts

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An LLC operating agreement is essential for well-run limited liability company. An LLC operating agreement is a written document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the LLC members and includes rules about how profits are shared, how members can enter and...

John Warrillow's book, "Built to Sell", is a classic read for business owners and entrepreneurs, including many of our clients. The central tenet of the book is that business owners should work towards building a business that they can sell, even if they have no...

Did You Know?

Due to popular demand, we created the Creator’s Legal Program.

This program empowers creators that need ongoing legal advice and documents on a monthly basis for $95/month. You can cancel anytime you like.

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creator’s legal program

Trademark Registration

Trademark Registration

Contract Creation

Creator’s Legal Program

Why Us?

When we say that we are an innovative law firm, we mean it.

We have reengineered and redesigned the law firm experience for the 21st century. By leveraging cutting-edge technology we are able to make legal services more cost-effective and accessible. That means that we are able to take a holistic approach to our legal practice and offer exactly the right legal services that any creative business needs

As a result, we work with some of the most innovative people in the world.

Whether our clients work in technology, media or the arts, they value our proactive attitude and the fact that we understand their world. From iconic brands to established artists to in-demand software development shops to lauded indie filmmakers, our clients have trusted us to help them protect and grow what they have built or will build.